THE IMAGINAL JOURNEY
A lifetime dedicated to shaping the metamorphosis of culture
The Imaginal Philosophy
Our core belief is that businesses can serve as powerful tools for positive change, and we wholeheartedly embrace the harmonious coexistence of profits and meaningful impact.
Our passion lies in assisting businesses and organizations to actualize this potential, allowing them to thrive and flourish while making a real difference in the world.
We are driven by a set of values that prioritize community enhancement, the betterment of the human experience, and the stewardship of our planet.
The Story Behind the Brand
the inspiration behind our business,
modeled after the magic and mystery of nature
When a caterpillar nears its transformation time, it begins to eat ravenously, consuming everything in sight. It becomes so heavy that it forms a cocoon and enters a chrysalis stage, where a true miracle occurs. Tiny cells called Imaginal cells begin to appear.
These cells are wholly different from caterpillar cells, carrying different information, and vibrating to a different frequency – the frequency of the emerging butterfly. The clumps of Imaginal cells start to cluster, resonating at the same frequencies, passing information from one to another, until suddenly, they form a chain that becomes the birth of the butterfly! Since the butterfly now "knows" that it is a butterfly, the tiny Imaginal cells no longer have to do all those things individual cells must do.
The Imaginal cells are now part of a multi-celled organism. Soon it will emerge through metamorphosis into a new version of itself, the butterfly.
Imaginal Production Reel
Founder & CEO
Zachary Carson
Zach is a seasoned leader with over two decades of experience, masterfully bridging lifestyle marketing, creative live experiences, and impactful campaigns. His visionary approach coupled with his entrepreneurial and operational expertise have made him a driving force in the industry, recognized for his ability to anticipate trends, think systemically, and leverage the magic of experience to help businesses position their value proposition at the core of their company culture, marketing strategy, and broader societal impact.
As an event guru, Zach's expertise in designing and producing impactful events is unparalleled. He understands that events are more than gatherings; they are opportunities to craft narratives, create emotional connections, and leave lasting impressions. His unique ability to inspire others and harness their collective energy, fueled by his contagious passion, makes him a dynamic force as an executive producer.
Originally from Philly, Zach has called Northern California home since 2005. With a degree in Ecological Design & Sustainability and an MBA in Leadership Management and Sustainable Business, he is well-equipped to lead the charge in defining the future of business. If you're looking to be ahead of the curve and drive real change, Zach and his team at Imaginal are your ideal collaborators.
Our Ecosystem of Support
Imaginal is a small agency focused on big impact. Over the last 20 years, we have built a global network and community of systems thinkers, expert problem solvers, creative designers, passionate change-makers, experienced event producers, innovative marketers and business leaders. Every project requires different skills and expertise, so we tap the best of the best as needed. Below is a list of some our favorite and most common collaborators.
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Matt Siegel
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, SUSTAINABILITY, ADMINISTRATIVE SYSTEMS
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John Wayne
OPERATIONS, STAFFING, MACGYVER
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Elizabeth Hogan
BUSINESS STRATEGY, CONNECTOR, VIBE PATROL
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Gagan Levy
IMPACT STRATEGY, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, DIGITAL MARKETING, CREATIVE CONTENT
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Zack Darling
GRAPHIC DESIGN, BRAND STRATEGY, MARKETING WIZARD
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Cassandra Hampl
INTERIOR DESIGN, STAFF MANAGER, TASK MASTER
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Allie Kerr
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, CONTENT, CORPORATE RETREATS, CORPORATE CULTURE
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Mad-Dog Madigan
CREATIVE, FABRICATION, EVENT PRODUCTION, BUSINESS ADVISOR
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Jon Dindas
FESTIVAL ADVISOR, LEGAL ADVISOR, OPERATIONS
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Scott Leonard
IMPACT STRATEGY, SUSTAINABILITY, REGENERATIVE & CLIMATE TECH
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Stacy Horne
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, EVENT PRODUCTION, TALENT
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Rick Lukens
EVENT ADVISOR, IMPACT STRATEGY, GLOBAL OPERATIONS
PREVIOUS CLIENTS & COLLABORATORS
Quick Look at Past Campaigns
NFX SOLSTICE RETREAT
SOLSTICE is a mental, spiritual, and soulful retreat for NFX Founders to gather with other high-powered minds of the NFX Guild to talk about building the future. SOLSTICE took place on the Northern California coast in the stunning location on the water in Sea Ranch/Mendocino.
Founders prepared for an extraordinary couple of days, bringing nothing but themselves and a change of clothes. We provide the rest - 80 glamping tents, 4 stages and lounges for workshops, outdoor farm-to-table meals, sauna and wellness workshops, and more. This experience was just for Guild Members. It was a relaxed, casual, and meaningful retreat that will become a pivotal moment in the Founder's journey.
CANNABIS AS A CATALYST FOR CHANGE
Imaginal designed and produced an executive-level three-day thought leadership conference designed to highlight the impact cannabis has had on leaders of various industries while also promoting the importance of supporting sustainable agriculture and business practices.
This all-inclusive event included tours of manufacturing facilities, multi-course infused meals, cannabis farm tours, health and wellness activities, and a full day of world-renown speakers offering Ted Talk-style presentations about the influence the legal cannabis industry will have on different pillars of society. This event became the backbone of Flow Kana’s content strategy and their first reach into global brand awareness through influencer connections.
SUSTAINABLE LIVING ROADSHOW
If you merge Barnum & Bailey Circus with the Electric Kool-aid Acid Test, and theme it around Sustainability, that is the essence of the Sustainable Living Roadshow (SLR). From 2007-2013, Zach was the Roadshow’s co-founder and executive director. Under Zach’s leadership, SLR grew to a national coalition of educators and entertainers who toured the country in a fleet of renewable fuel vehicles to empower communities and individuals to utilize sustainable living strategies for a healthier planet.
The Roadshow was responsible for producing 2 international tours, 7 national tours and 5 regional tours - totaling over 200+ events designed to help sustainable brands, technologies, strategies and social and environmental movements gain mainstream recognition and demand in the country.
Zach’s Career Highlights
A short bio could never capture the depth of impact, entrepreneurship and adventure from Zach’s career.
Below is a chronological portfolio of select projects that demonstrate his passion and talents.
Sustainable Living Roadshow
For nearly a decade, Zach was the Executive Director of the Sustainable Living Roadshow, a touring group of educators, activists and entertainers that toured the country in a caravan of biofuel buses, and set up off-the-grid eco-villages at colleges and festivals. Imagine a dynamic mesh between Barnum & Bailey Circus and the Electric Kool-aid Acid Test - but focused on sustainability! The Roadshow was one of the first platforms that brought regional and national awareness about climate change to the mainstream, while also empowering people with solutions by highlighting sustainability information, technologies, brands, organizations and campaigns in a fun, approachable and inclusive manner.
Inner Mission SF: B-Corp
Zach opened the first B-Corp certified music venue in the country while partnering with primarily B-Corp service providers, products and non-profit organizations. The venue consisted of 14 artists studios, a welding shop, art gallery and a 600-person capacity room. Weekdays were dedicated to affordable space for community groups; weekends transformed into a sold-out concerts and performances.
GMO Right2Know Campaign
Zach helped bring the movement to label GMO’s to the US by producing a 16-day march from Brooklyn, NY to Washington DC. With up to 500 marchers over 320 miles, the march hosted daily events in each community and culminated with a festival outside the White House. Shortly thereafter, Oregon, Colorado and California voting to label GMO’s and the certification movement in the US took off. Zach then managed the grassroots activations for CA’s Prop 37 which would have required labeling of all food containing GMOs.
Nature Partners Land Agency
Zach helped develop on online marketplace intended to foster business connections between underutilized nature-based land assets and customers seeking leases or individual bookings on these properties. Zach designed the brand, marketing and communication assets, and project managed the technology team from inception to launch. Zach specialized in new business development, creating national institutional partnerships with groups such as the Boy Scouts of America, American Camping Association, Ted Turner Expeditions and Mountain Riders Alliance; as well as dozens of smaller portfolio managers and individual landowners across the country.
Sustainable Impact Agency
From 2006-2014, as the categories for sustainable products, brands and consumer demand emerged, Zach built an experiential marketing agency to support values-driven companies. He worked with leading companies in the Natural Products and Outdoor Retail industries to create regional and national brand and product activations within mainstream, influential events. Clients included: Dr Bronners, Organic Valley, Numi Tea, Guayaki, Natures Path, Marys Gone Crackers, Living Intentions, New Chapter, Birkenstock, Livity, Lagunitas, Sierra Nevada and more.
Greening the NBA
Zach partnered with the NBA to help them leverage their platform to promote sustainable behavior change. Zach and his team created interactive games and experiences in the concourses of arenas designed to creatively engage fans with the NBA’s sustainability efforts during their annual Green Week celebrations.
Greening the Boy Scouts of America
Zach brought sustainability to the Boy Scouts of America, authoring their first-ever industry-wide Sustainability Report as well as a Sustainable Operations Guidebook for camp owners. He visited over 40 camps across the US and informed the national organization of an underlying systemic problem - almost 2/3 of their assets were not being used and were in jeapordy of being sold. Shortly after, as a means of increasing revenue, the Boy Scouts began encouraging their local councils to diversify the types of businesses permitted on their camp properties.
Willie Nelson Stash Saloons
Zach had the pleasure of working for Willie Nelson. He developed various immersive environments for Willies cannabis and CBD brands at trade shows, festivals and conferences designed to build culture, educate attendees and grow brand loyalty. Zach’s highlight was designing and building Willies mobile smoking saloons at events across the country featuring Willie Nelson cannabis, historical relics, and an incredible vibe that was hard to beat.
West Africa Biofuel Tour & Festival
In 2006, Zach organized a music tour throughout Ghana, Togo, Benin and Nigeria for Aphrodesia, an 11-piece afro-beat band from CA. Zach partnered with the Department of Energy and Tourism in Ghana, and used the platform of live music to raise awareness about biofuels and research opportunities to integrate locally produced biofuels into their national energy security plan. A few years later, Ghana made a commitment to replace 5% of their national petroluem consumption with locally produced biofuels. Zach also produced a music festival in Jamestown, Ghana bringing together 15 bands West Africa, non-profits promoting wellness and health and education on sustainable practices, products and technologies.
2008 Democratic & Republican National Conventions
Zach created formal partnerships with both the Democratic and Republican National Convention committees in 2008 to bring sustainability into their platforms by producing large eco-festivals during their conventions. The festivals were the first mainstream public activations from either party that showcased their support and recognition of this important growing market.
Sustainable Cannabis in California
At the turn of legalization, as Flow Kana’s Director of Events and Partnerships, Zach led California’s largest cannabis company in their efforts to embrace sun-grown and regenerative practices, support small farmers and fight for more equitable legislation. In this position, Zach was responsible for introducing cannabis, and more-so, sustainable cannabis, into the mainstream by pioneering major event sponsorship, retailer incentive programs, brand launches, political campaigns and farmer awareness programs.
Cannabis as a Catalyst for Change
Zach designed and produced an executive-level three-day thought leadership conference to highlight the impact cannabis has had on leaders of various industries while also promoting the importance of supporting sustainable agriculture and business practices.
This all-inclusive event included tours of manufacturing facilities, multi-course meals, cannabis farm tours, health and wellness activities, and a full day of world-renown speakers offering Ted Talk-style presentations about the influence the legal cannabis industry will have on different pillars of society. This event became the backbone of Flow Kana’s content strategy and their first reach into global brand awareness through influencer connections.